Attendance Term 4, 2026
Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,
Our college remains committed to partnering with families to prioritise regular school attendance. The reason is simple and well established: when students attend school regularly, their learning outcomes and overall well-being improve.
Fountain Gate Secondary College has a whole-school attendance goal of 96% or higher. Families can check whether their child achieved 96% or higher attendance by:
• Checking your child’s Semester Report, where each subject includes a class attendance percentage
• Logging into Compass, selecting the Attendance tab, and viewing the term summary to see days absent
All parents are required to give reasons for all absences on Compass. When selecting a reason, parents should provide a short explanation to help the school record the absence correctly.
The absence reasons available in Compass
|
Reason |
When to use it |
|---|---|
| Medical / Illness |
Your child is unwell and unable to attend. Please provide a medical certificate if you have one. Example: My child has tested positive for the flu and will be absent for 2 days. |
| Healthcare Appointment, off-site |
A scheduled appointment such as a GP, dentist, specialist or allied health visit. Please provide a medical certificate where you have one. Example: My child has a dentist appointment and will arrive at school at 10am. We will provide a medical certificate. |
| Bereavement |
Your child is absent following the death of a family member or someone close to them, including attending a funeral. Example: My child will be absent today to attend the funeral of their grandparent. |
| Truancy, off-site |
Your child is not at school, and you do not approve of the absence. Example: I am aware that my child is not at school today and I do not approve. Could the Hub team please call me for support. |
| Sorry Business |
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families only. Absence relating to Sorry Business. Example: My child will be absent for Sorry Business from 10 - 12th June. |
| Extended Family Holiday |
If you are planning an extended family holiday (more than 4 days) approval is required in advance. Please email the Year Level Hub at least two weeks before you leave. Once the Year Level Leader has approved the absence, the Hub Team will prepare an Absence Learning Plan so your child can keep up with their learning while away. Example: I am planning a family holiday from 10 - 18 June and am requesting approval for my child to be absent. A short holiday (for example, long weekends) will be recorded as Parent Choice. |
| Religious or Cultural Observance |
Your child is observing a religious or cultural day of significance. Please describe the reason clearly. Example: My child will be absent to attend Eid as part of our Ramadan celebration. |
| Parent Choice, School Unapproved |
Your child is absent for a reason not covered by the other categories. The absence will remain unapproved until the Year Level Leader reviews it. Please add a comment with the reason so we can record it correctly. Example: My child will be absent on Friday for a family long weekend. |
Please visit our Attendance page for examples and Absence Note: A Quick Guide, to assist you in recording absences with comments.
https://www.fountaingatesc.vic.edu.au/students/attendance/
We know children are sometimes unable to attend school. If your child needs to be absent, please let us know as soon as possible through Compass or by calling the Hub Attendance Line on 8762 6839. This helps us stay connected and support your child's attendance and learning.
Stay safe,
Jo Cucchiara
Jo Cucchiara
College Principal
How to use Absence Note: A Quick Guide
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